Higher Achievement’s rigorous afterschool and summer academic program gives youth from at-risk communities their best opportunity to succeed in middle school — and in life. Our research-based program challenges middle school students to meet their full potential in three key areas: academics, social skills, and leadership. When students get the skills and support they need to invest in their own success, they discover that they can be scholars. Higher Achievement is rigorous. From 5th through 8th grade, Higher Achievement scholars spend 650 hours a year learning an advanced curriculum that is aligned to state standards. Higher Achievement’s year-round program is grounded in research. It combines high expectations with high support — demanding academic work plus mentoring, skill-building, individual student achievement plans, and personal encouragement. Elements of Higher Achievement include: - Afterschool Academy includes core subjects, such as literature and mathematics, as well as seminars, artistic electives, field trips, and opportunities to engage in community service. - Summer Academy includes coursework in literature, science, mathematics, social studies, and electives, as well as a three-day trip to a college. Small classes and mentoring sessions encourage intellectual curiosity and teach both basic skills and critical thinking. - Higher Achievement culminates with high school placement services, which help scholars advance to top academic high schools. In addition to helping scholars identify schools that fit their needs, Higher Achievement helps them prepare for placement tests, practice interview skills, complete applications, and identify resources for financial assistance. The Higher Achievement program also includes special academic events, including geography challenges, student readings of their own poetry, Olympics of the Mind, and the Green Apple awards.